Thurston Vaughn resigned as superintendent of the Odd Fellows Orphanage in January of 1912. I couldn’t find any report of his resignation, or any reason given. But I can take a wild guess. By spring of that year, he was a wanted man.
Vaughn was accused of raping one the inmates at the orphanage, a 14 year old girl. Vaughn wasn’t in town when the warrant was issued, but returned on May 31st. The newspapers intimated that when he returned to Greenville and learned of the warrant he tried to leave town again. The Greenville News reported that when his train arrived, his brother met him and suggested that “it would be best for him not to come into the city at present.” Vaughn got back on the train, but got off on the other side to elude capture. Authorities thought he had boarded the train again and was headed for Seneca. Eventually they found him walking along the railroad tracks and placed him under arrest.
Reporters had learned of the warrant and arrest and met Vaughn at the jail, where he refused to speak without his attorney present. Later he released a statement through the attorney denying the charges.
I, (T. U. Vaughn) have been to Newport News, Va., with my wife and child for the past week, visiting Mrs. Vaughn’s sister. I returned to Greenville voluntarily on No. 37 [train] today. I ask the public to suspend judgement until the facts of the case are fully developed. Time will show the charges to be absolutely without foundation.
Several other girls would come forward with more accusations against Vaughn. To say that Vaughn was a flight risk would be an understatement.
On June 26 Vaughn escaped from the county jail with the assistance of several prominent citizens, including J. D. Gilreath, businessman, former sheriff, and future chief of police of Greenville. Along with Gilreath, Reuben Gosnell and A. A. Phillips were accused of assisting with escape. All three were arrested. Vaughn later released a confession regarding his escape. In part it reads…
Vaughn’s Statement
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
County of Richland
I, T. U. Vaughn, fully realizing that I am soon to meet death by electrocution, desire to make complete confession regarding my escape from the jail in Greenville bounty, South Carolina, on the night of June 26th, 1912.The first person to approach me regarding my escape from jail, was a man, whom I took to be the same that I had seen around the jail and whom I identified as being Rueben Goznell. This was during the week previous to my escape. I know not from what direction he came. I was aroused by a light tap upon the bars of my cell; and upon responding to the knock, I was summoned to the window. The first question asked by the party from the outside was, “Would you leave the jail if you an opportunity?” Before I could make reply, the man added that J. J. McSwain, the attorney for the prosecution, was anxious for me to escape; and that others, also prominent, were exceedingly anxious that I should get away. I asked this man a few questions, among which was to state what he had heard in connection with any plans for my escape. He replied that it was useless for me to question him; but that everything would be arranged all right, and that no effort would be made to apprehend me. I replied that it would not be safe for the State should an opportunity be afforded me to escape. He then departed, stating that he would see me later.
The above interview took place during my confinement in the cell that is used to place female prisoners in. The next day or so, subsequent to this interview, a female prisoner was brought into jail. I was removed from the cell and placed in the rear of the main jail, where I remained four or five days….
On the following night after being transferred to the women’s cell my attention was attracted by a noise made at window of my cell, that sounded like grating or tinkling of steel. Upon getting up and approaching the window, I was surprised and really frightened seeing to the peculiar visage which proved to be the masked face of a white man protruding through the bars (a cloth mask). It was cloudy and at Limes raining, but during the occasional light shed by the moon I could easily discern the outlines of the man at the window. I naturally expected to find the same man there who had been there previously; but soon saw that I was mistaken; as this man who was masked, was much smaller in statue. My first impression was that I was in the presence of Henry Southern, a trustee of the Orphan Home; for that upon more than one occasion prior to my arrest he had urged me to go away, assuring me that he was voicing the sentiment of the balance of the Trustees. The first word spoken was by this strange visitor, who said, “Get yourself ready, everything is right, keep your nerve.” This was said in a surpressed voice with apparant effort to conceal it’s owner’s identity. I soon saw by all actions and appearances that it was not my friend Henry Southern. This man proceeded to adjust the saw in a saw frame and began to saw the bar very slowly and cautiously. This was about ten o’clock P. M.
Several saws were broken before the bottom of the bars were sawed in two. Several times the sawing was interrupted by the cries of a negro woman who was confined in the cell just above him; she was yelling at the top of her voice that somebody was breaking jail. One interruption lasted probably one hour. The sawing was resumed in spite of the woman’s alarm and at about one thirty or two A. M. the sawing of the upper part of the bar was completed and the piece of bar removed by me and laid upon the floor of the cell. I made an effort to get out at the opening but found that it was too small. I removed my clothing and passed them to the party on the outside, who laid them on some rocks near the window. After getting outside and while putting on my clothes, this strange party stood at my rear; my visitor then said, ‘Now you can look out for yourself.” I then proceeded hurriedly to the wall where there were some barrels, he following, the saw still in his possession. A general alarm was being sounded by all the prisoners as we went over the wall; and at all times while I was dressing. At one time during the sawing of the bars some prisoners in the main jail yelled “Boys they have given it up.” This was when the work stopped owing to the alarm given by the negro woman. After crossing over the wall my hat was lost and I ran on leaving it behind. I could hear the man following me in the rear. We proceeded as far as Webster Street and as I turned down there, the man stopped or disappeared. Every act of this man, coupled with size and other characteristics, led me to conclude that my assistant was Jeff D. Gilreath. Still I am sure absolutely that it was he. Nevertheless, I never have been able to suspicion anyone else in this connection. I proceeded on my way to Spartanburg, which place I was several days in reaching; and never met anyone who had the slightest connection with my escape. The party who assisted me to escape wore a dark suit and a hat of light or grey color, crushed in. I never have had any communication with either of the parties charged with aiding me to escape since my recapture. The doctor stated to me today that I am in full possession of my mental faculties, and I make this statement in the fear and sight of God.
Witness, W. H. Sondley
Charges against Gilreath and the others were eventually dropped.
Three other men in jail took advantage of the hole Vaughn and his accomplices cut in the jail bars. These men were later recaptured that day. Vaughn managed to make a clean getaway. An initial $700 reward was offered for his recapture. That was raised to $1250, then the local Odd Fellows lodge kicked in another $250 after expelling Vaughn from their ranks.
Vaughn was able to evade capture for many weeks. On Sunday, September 22 he was found in a church in Baltimore. Apparently he had enrolled in Baltimore Medical College and was taking a course in medicine.
Then Governor Cole L. Blease gave a statement to reporters. “Vaughn was turned out of the Greenville jail once, and I don’t propose to let him be turned out again. For that reason I will have him taken to the state penitentiary at Columbia for safe keeping until court is held in Greenville… If Vaughn is guilty he ought to be electrocuted within twenty-four hours after he is convicted.” So, from that statement I’m guessing to last minute pardon would be in the works.
Gov. Blease called a special session of court to be held October 21 to try Vaughn. Greenville Solicitor Proctor A. Bonham would be the prosecutor, and Judge R. O. Purdy would oversee the case. The law firm of McCullough, Martin, and Blythe would represent Vaughn. The Greenville News declared that the case “Promises to be the legal battle of the decade.” The story dominated local news. A jury pool of 36 men was selected, and Vaughn was indicted on three charges of rape.
The trial actually started on Friday, October 25, and it started off with a bang. Attorney J. J. McSwain, assistant to the prosecution, and attorney B. F. Martin, representing the defense, engaged in a fist fight over what evidence could be brought forth. The Greenville News described the altercation.
The court room was thrown into a state of panic. Sheriff Poole, who was standing near by, rushed upon the combatants, but was powerless to get them apart. A half dozen or more officers and spectators took hold of Mr. McSwain, who is of splendid physique, but they were tossed right and left. Finally, more officers and spectators surrounded Mr. McSwain and bore him to the floor. For several seconds the scene resembled a football scrimmage, first Attorney McSwain being on top then the half dozen or more who were trying to quiet him. In the meantime, Mr. Martin was taken out of the room and into a hallway in the rear of the judge’s bench. Mr Martin was bleeding from several scratches on the right temple and jaw. Mr. McSwain, to all appearances, was unscratched.
Judge Purdy restored order and threatened to throw “the next person who opens his mouth” in jail. Testimony then continued. In addition to sexual assault, the girls described severe beatings and physical abuse by Vaughn. as well as forced abortions. The trial continued on the next day, Saturday. The jury only took minutes to render a guilty verdict. In hope of some leniency, Vaughn made a full confession. Judge Purdy wasn’t swayed and sentenced him to death by electric chair.
But, of course, this wouldn’t be the end of this tale.
Continued on the next page…